Rowell (G. A.) Esq. An Abstract of a Paper on the Storm of September 22nd,

1856. Pamph. The Author.

Ashmolean Society (Proceedings of), 1855. G. A. Rovell, Esq.

Hospital. The History and Design of the Foundling Hospital, Guildford-street,

Russell-square. 8vo. London, 1858. The Commi1tee.

Langrois Boillot (Joseph). Modelles Artifices de Feu, et divers Instruroens

de Guerre, avec les moves de s'en prevaloir. 8vo. 1798. Capt. W. F. Lendy.

Mortars. Experiments connected with the Comparative Strength of Iron used

in the Manufacture of Mortars. Pamph. 8vo. Woolwich, 1857.

Lord Panmure. Royal Agricultural Society (Their Journal). Vol. XVIII. Part. 2, No. 11.

The Society. Este (M. L.) Esq. M.D. Facts respecting the Drainage of London, and the Pollution of the Thames. Two copies. Pamph. 8vo. London, 1858. The Author. Almanac. Science of Art Almanac for 1858. The Committee of Council.

Atlas. A new Genealogical, Historical, and Chronological Atlas, 1807.

Major Stuart, late 7th Fuiiliert. Military Dictionary. A new Military Dictionary, or Field of War.

Major Stuart, late 1th Fuiiliert.

Autographs.
Autograph Letter of the late General Sir C. J. Napier, K.C.13.

Lt.-Gen. Sir W. Napier, K.C.B. Autograph Letter from Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton (framed).

Lent by the Lords Commissioners of die Admiralty.

Models.

1 Elongated Rifle-Shell for conveying liquid fire.

2 Railway Danger Signals. Capt. John Norton. 10 Models of Shot, Shells, and Carcases, 13 do. of Cartridges and Covers,

of Tubes,

of Caps,

of Rockets,

of Lights,

of Portfires,

of Fuzes.

Models—Naval.
Russian Man-of-War, which was taken in the Dock-yard at Sevastopol.

Lent by Rear-Admiral Sir S. Lushinglon. Twenty-four Models of Steam Engines. E. Jehyll, Esq., late Gren. Gds.

Maps, Plans, Charts, &c.
Plan of the City and Country around Lucknow.
Plan of the Action at Cawnpore,
Plan of the Entrenched Position of the British.

India Map of the North-West Province, including the Territory of Oude.
Garrison at Lucknow, 1857.
Plan of Canton. Secretary of State for War.

Secretary of State fof War. Mr. Money.

Great Britain's Coasting Pilot, in 2 part*, 1774.
1 Book of French Charts.
1 do. of Spanish Charts.

Steel's New and Accurate Chart of the Mediterranean, 1811.
Some loose French Charts and Maps.

Portion of a Series of Maps published by the Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge.

French Atlas. Lord Radstotk.

Museum.

Armoury.

A Lance, which belonged to Colonel the Hon. Lincoln Stanhope, and was carried by him when serving with his Regiment, the 17th Lancers.

James Even, Porter.

Russian Musket and Bayonet, taken by himself at Sevastopol.

E. Bartholomew, Boatswain H.M.S. Fisgard. Two Russian Helmets, taken in the Crimea. Rear Admiral Milne.

1 English Cross-Bow.
1 Seikh Carbine.
1 do. Bow.

1 do. Quivers and Arrows.
1 do. Canister Shot.

1 do. Lance.

2 do. Powder-Horns and Pouches. 2 do. Swords.

Naval.

The Main Truck of the L'Orient, blown up at the Battle of the Nile, 1st August, 1798. Lent by the Lords Commissioners of Vie Admiralty.

Miscellaneous.

2 Gilt Glass Tesserae, from the Dome of the Mosque of St. Sophia at Constantinople. W. D. Kerr, M.D., R.N.

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS.

Before the business of the evening begins, this being the commencement of our Evening Meetings and Course of Lectures for the season, I trust you will permit me to make a few observations with respect to the objects we have in view. Last year, when I had the honour of addressing you, I touched upon various topics relating principally to Finance, and to the state of our Members, and the means of increasing their number. At that time we were little aware of the cloud that was about to break over us, in the shape of the Mutiny of the Sepoy Army. The effect of that Mutiny has been very injurious to our interests, as it has withdrawn from our shores a large mass of officers from whom we had fair hopes of recruiting our numbers. While, therefore, I cannot congratulate the Members on any great improvement in financial position as regards an increase of Members, yet the receipt of Government support gives us a prospect of security for the future, and has enabled the Council to take a step of the greatest importance to the interests of the Institution, in the publication of a Journal of our proceedings. In consequence of the grant, the Council considered that if the Institution was ever to take a prominent position as a Scientific Establishment, that vigorous measures should be at once, and without delay, adopted, to put the Museum into complete classical order—to dispose of duplicates and articles of no interest or use, and to organise it in a manner so as to exalt its character, create an interest in the public, and be useful and instructive to the Members. We have carried these views out, and are now in a position to advance the interests of the Institution still further, if supported by the Services; and, whether as an Institution promoting professional science, or as a Museum of professional interest, it was never yet so worthy of their support as it is now. To do this effectively, the Council ought to have at their disposal an income of not less than £2,000 a year, independent of Government aid; and when it is recollected that there are not less than 12,000 officers in the several Military Services, this sum does not appear large.

We seek to make the Institution useful to the Members, useful to the Services, and by that means useful to the public. Our efforts have been, as far as we have gone, successful; and they have received the approbation of our Members, and have been noticed in very complimentary terms by those severe critics—the Press. We have put before the Members what I trust they consider a good bill of fare of Lectures and Evening Meetings, when subjects of great interest will be explained by gentlemen of scientific acquirements; these will be, through the medium of the Journal, transmitted to our Members in every part of the world, by which they will benefit by our proceedings here.

We have thus gone far to establish ourselves in the eyes of the world, and already have met with encouragement, by the accession of new Members: we have suffered from not being known, and the more we can show officers of the Army and Navy that we are working for the public good, the more will a feeling of professional pride in our establishment extend itself.

We are, however, merely carrying out now what was the original intentions of the founders of the Institution, in 1831. I will read you a short paragraph which occurs in a speech at that time: the objects of the institution were thus briefly described—" For the promotion of the interests and development of the energies of the two Services; the strengthening and knitting together friendship between the Services, which a common object equally beneficial to both cannot fail to produce. For the improvement of art and science in the military profession, by inventions, models, and drawings, and collections of military relics and curiosities. For the study of fortification and books, and for lectures on professional subjects. The subscription is small, and the object great." Such were the aspirations of the distinguished veterans of the French War in both Services. How is it that it failed to produce the expected result? Their plans were received with enthusiasm: officers of the Line and Navy poured in as voluntary subscribers; donations arrived to such an extent that there was no room for them; Local Committees of Members sprung up in every part of the world to further its interests. But enthusiasm requires being fed—it lasts but a short time—it must be followed by some real and substantial benefit, which through reason commands the support which enthusiasm commenced. The founders were unable to carry out their views, by circumstances beyond their control; and, though they became rapidly rich, they were unable for many years to get a building sufficiently capacious for their objects, and the capital of the institution was spent in the purchase of a house, and in building this theatre. By this time the strong feeling in its favour had departed, a new race of officers had sprung up, and at the very moment we were in a position to carry out the original object, we were poverty-stricken, laden with burdens of rent and rates, and it required the greatest caution to maintain our position. But we shall rise again, I trust, and already there appears a good time coming; and, although we may not be able to excite the former enthusiasm, yet when officers see that the Institution is useful, practical, and interesting, there is reason to hope for their willing co-operation.

Amongst other improvements we are establishing a Topographical department under the auspices of Colonel Alcock; and it is gratifying to observe that General Cameron, the President of the Council of Military Education, and Sir Edward Cust, the author of the "Annals of the Wars," find our valuable Military Library of essential service to them in promoting their several objects.

We are most anxious that Members should introduce their friends to our Evening Meetings, and that they should take part in any discussions which may arise on the merits of inventions, or on the subjects upon which papers may treat. We are anxious to promote discussion at Evening Meetings, in order that by difference of opinion, and the expression of practical views, professional information may be extended.

In the Navy, scientific attainment has been propagated by the necessity which exists for knowledge and experience in the art of navigation, and our young men must undergo a severe naval education, without which they cannot be permitted to become officers in that service. But in the Army the case is different; there is not in the younger branches of this service that individuality of action so common in the Navy, and it had therefore been considered that officers might become sufficiently accomplished in professional knowledge by the time they arrived at regimental command. But of late years this system has been properly altered, and now, both before and after joining, a certain standard of general and professional knowledge is required. We propose to have in this Institution specimens or models of everything that can illustrate the profession, and which may make officers acquainted with all that may be useful to them. We seek by obtaining the services of officers of practical experience to extend information upon professional subjects, both to those who attend in this theatre, and also by means of the Journal to those whose service prevents them from being present. We hope by carrying out these views to render this Institution a public benefit, worthy of the professions and the country.